Page 47 of Hutch (Minnesota Raptors #2)

Hutch

Daisy was right. Our first official day as a Raptor was spent doing paperwork, meeting with the marketing team, and a photographer was there as well.

They’re going to do a full press release with photos of us on the ice and off the ice.

Local boys and all that. Then we had to meet with the coaching team and be evaluated by the medical staff.

We were fitted out with our uniforms and new skates.

In my trunk is currently a lot of Raptors merch I was encouraged to hand out.

We were given a training and conditioning schedule that is not nearly as brutal as I was expecting.

We did more on our college team honestly. Collin was shocked as well.

By the time the end of the day rolled around, we still hadn’t gotten to meet the team.

Which sucked. I really wanted to play. But there’s an early practice tomorrow and a game on Wednesday.

We’ve been given a pass for tonight’s game since we weren’t able to do anything except paperwork.

Coach said he wanted us there by seven am to start work.

He said he was glad to have us on the team, but I doubt I’ll see him as much as I do the coach who trains the centers on the team.

I might even get to work with Shaw Chandler, my favorite player. He still makes me a little starstruck.

I pull up to Daisy’s house and cut the engine, suddenly so tired I don’t even want to get out of the Jeep. “You cool with sleeping on the couch or do you want me to take you back to the Hockey house?”

“Did you see the email from student housing? We need to be out by the end of the week.”

I expected it after Daisy pointed out we weren’t on the team anymore and they’d need the beds for actual players. Still, it’ll be a shock. I’ve lived in that house for three years.

“We need to find us a cheap apartment to rent close to Mama Kat, Daisy, and the training center.” Collin yawns. “Fuck I’m tired.”

“Me too and we didn’t do shit today.”

“Did you look over the diet plan?”

I shake my head. “I was afraid to.”

“Wait until tomorrow. Let’s go in, I’m starving and I don’t know what we can actually eat that conforms to that damn plant based diet.”

“We’ll order out or something. Maybe soup. That can’t be bad can it?”

As soon as we enter the house, the smell hits us.

It’s aromatic and makes my mouth water. But then all seven guys sitting around in the living room are in the same boat, sniffing every few seconds.

I see Daisy in the kitchen at the stove.

She’s standing on a step stool, stirring whatever she’s cooking.

The pot reminds me of something you’d see in a soup kitchen where they feed hundreds. It’s huge.

“Girl, tell me it’s something I can eat!” Collin runs to the kitchen and leans over the pot. “Fuck me, I’m starved.”

“Hey, Hutch.” Dylan nods toward me. “You guys have a good first day?”

“Dude, we didn’t even see the ice. We spent all day doing paperwork and meeting with the coaching staff and the dietician and more staff I can’t remember.”

“That sucks.” He looks as put out as I feel.

“We’re supposed to start working on the ice tomorrow, so there’s that at least.” I shove my keys in my pocket and make my way toward the kitchen. “I need to go check on my girl.”

Dylan holds his hand up and motions for me to go back outside. I’m instantly on alert. What could have happened now?

“The judge signed the order as soon as it hit his desk. We got word a couple hours ago Ayers was served with the paperwork. He’s been blowing up her phone since. I told her to shut it off.”

“I thought it would take a couple of days.”

“Your lawyer knew the judge and he took one look at the photos and the recent call logs and signed the order without hesitation. He has daughters apparently.”

“That’s something at least.”

“My dad called a security firm who has a branch here in town. They’re coming out tomorrow to professionally install the cameras. They’ll use cameras that won’t be easily detectible. They just need a card to pay for it.”

“You gonna be here?”

“I’m skipping classes to make sure they do it right.”

“I’ll leave my card with you then. Tell your dad thanks for me. I’d rather all the girls in the house be safe if asswipe decides to do something.”

Dylan nods. “She’s pretty shaken up. It’s weird to see her so scared since she’s always so sassy. Makes me want to go beat his head in.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t get that far. Neither of us can afford bad publicity right now, but if he shows up, we will take out the trash, bad press or not.”

“Agreed. Go on in and check on her. She’s been cooking to take her mind off things.”

The scent in the kitchen is more concentrated and smells even better.

Whatever is in that pot is a slice of heaven, I guarantee it.

But none of that is what matters most. I can see the slight vibration in her frame.

She’s shaking and trying to work through her fear.

My girl is the bravest fucking woman alive.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I say the words before I touch her, not wanting to startle her. I slide my arms around her, pulling her to me until she’s flush against my chest. “I heard your day hasn’t been so great.”

She snorts. That sounds more like the feisty woman I know, despite the trembling in her body.

“It’s been something alright.” She turns around and I’m shocked at how bruised she looks. That’s the only word I can find for the haunted expression marring her face. Anger coils inside, but I fight to keep it out of my own expression. I never want her to be afraid of me.

“Whatcha cooking? Smells good.”

“A stew for you and Collin, but I knew the rest of the house would want some, so I made enough to feed them and you two for a couple of days.”

“Stew?” Doesn’t stew imply meat of some kind?

“It’s tofu based so no meat.”

Tofu? I guess grossed out is hard to keep off my face because she actually cracks a smile.

“Does it smell like it’s going to taste bad?”

“No.”

“Then don’t act like I’m feeding you cow stomach or something.”

“People actually eat that?”

“They sure do!” Collin pipes up. “It’s pretty good.”

“You can keep the cow stomach all to yourself,” I tell him.

“Your loss. When can we eat?”

“Grab some bowls out of the cabinet and I’ll dish it out for you.”

Collin wastes no time in doing that, further causing Daisy to laugh with his antics. I’d love to say he’s being this goofy just to cheer her up, but he’s like this with food every day. He’d even run me over to get to a plate of food. Especially food that smells this good.

She waits for him to take a bite and is rewarded when his eyes nearly roll back. “Hot damn, woman, this is delicious!”

“So you don’t mind the tofu?”

“Huh?” His spoon pauses midway to his mouth. “What the fuck you mean, tofu?”

“Is it good?”

“Yes.”

“Then don’t question it. Just eat and say thank you, Daisy, for cooking me a meal that took hours to make.”

“Thank you, chica, for slaving over a Flintstone era pot to cook me a meal that is delicious.”

She reaches over and pats his cheek. “That’s better. Now, take your food and go eat. I need to dish out enough for the two you to have leftovers for a few days before I let the hoard at it.”

I step back so she can do just that, eating my own bowl of tofu stew. Honestly, it’s delicious. I’d never know tofu was in it. The spices sort of hide the flavor and the texture is creamy so I can’t even complain. I will gladly eat my tofu every day if it tastes like this.

Once she’s done, she puts the containers to the side to cool. I know enough that you shouldn’t put hot food in the fridge. I may burn food, but I can help in the kitchen here and there.

“Jenny?” she calls.

Jenny looks up from the couch.

“Can you put these in the fridge when they cool please?”

“Sure can. Are we ready to eat?”

Before she can say yes or no, I go fill my own bowl back up. Put together a bunch of athletes and food goes fast.

Laughing, she nods. “I guess.”

“Come on, let’s go upstairs. I think we both need some peace and quiet. Jenny, is it cool if Collin sleeps on the couch?”

She nods and stands, the rest of the hungry crowd doing the same.

I take Daisy’s hand and steer us to the door leading up to the attic.

She’s so quiet it worries me. It’s not until we’re upstairs and I’ve locked her bedroom door that she seems to relax ever so slightly. I pull her with me toward the bed.

“Eat,” she says and detaches herself. “I need to use the bathroom.”

I frown after her. Her voice is off. It’s empty, hollow. I don’t like it, but I let her go.

Kicking off my shoes, I sit down on the bed and eat while I watch the bathroom door. She’s in there for so long, I finish my food and am considering being one of those people who barge in when she finally opens the door. She looks so small and vulnerable standing there.

“Come here.”

She looks up and just stands there, like she’s got no fight in her. I hate it.

Getting up, I go to her instead and pick her up, carrying her back to the bed. “I got you, sweetheart. Everything’s fine. I got you.”

“He keeps calling,” she whispers, her tone broken. “Why won’t he stop calling?”

Fucker. I’m calling Cherese as soon as Daisy is asleep.

“I’ll make sure he stops.”

“How?”

“He’s harassing you and that goes against the protection order. I’ll have Cherese do something.”

“That’ll only make him worse.”

Let him spend a couple of nights in jail and see how he feels.

I don’t say that to her as it’ll only upset her more, but asswipe needs to know how serious this is.

He’s not dealing with Daisy now. He’s dealing with me and an entire firm of lawyers if need be.

Cherese said several of the attorneysat her firm agreed to help out pro bono if the need arises.

They don’t like abusive assholes either.

“How many times has he called?”

“Dylan shut my phone off when the voicemails hit twenty-nine and the text messages were over a hundred.”

Mother fucker.